Tsiyon Answer - Must we keep Jewish Traditions?
   You have brought up a question about something we hear a lot. Your husband, having been brought up as an orthodox Jew, has that in common with a large minority of our listeners. Many such listeners, like your husband, have left most of the Jewish religious traditions behind to pursue a living relationship with Messiah. A number of our ethnic Jewish listeners have also been disappointed by an excess of rabbinical tradition in various Messianic congregations they have associated with. Having come out of that sort of religious worship, they don't really want to go back under what they perceive as bondage to religious traditions again. We are glad that these folks feel relieved and blessed when they come home to Tsiyon.

That is not to say that all Jewish customs are bad. Some like to follow various Jewish traditions because those traditions make them feel more connected to Israel. I don't mean to criticize those folks. Another reason is outreach to ethnic Jews. It is sometimes believed that the congregation following the traditions makes it easier for ethnic Jews to come to faith in Messiah in such an environment. This may be true for some, but not for others, as with your husband and the sub-set of ethnic Jews who associate with Tsiyon. Also, much can be learned from various Jewish traditions, which is another reason many find them valuable.

However, your question was not: is it OK to follow some Jewish traditions?

I perceive your question to be: is it REQUIRED to follow Jewish traditions?

It is required of an Israelite, whether natural or grafted-in, to keep the commandments, as our Messiah did, following Him. This is the hallmark of the true Jew, as defined by YHWH. (Lev 23:31, Duet 4:13, Ecc 12:13, Matt 5:19, Romans 2:28-29, 1 Jn 2:3)

It is NOT required to keep the traditions of men, time-honored though many of them may be. In fact, if those traditions are replacing the commandments of YHWH, circumventing them, or replacing a living relation with YHWH through Messiah, then they have become a stumbling block to true faith and need to be abandoned. (Duet 4:2, Mark 7:7, Jn 14:15,21, 1 Cor 7:19, Titus 1:14)

As Messiah told the Samaritan woman at the well: